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Retention of Paid Related Caregivers: Who Stays and Who Leaves Home Care Careers?

Correspondence: Address correspondence to A. E. (Ted) Benjamin, Professor of Social Welfare, UCLA School of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656. E-mail: tedbenj{at}ucla.edu

Purpose: The use of consumer-directed services is expected to grow in coming years, and paying family and friends is a key element of these home-based services. The goal of this study was to understand the careers of these "related workers" (family and friends) and their potential role in the long-term care workforce. Design and Methods: We conducted a telephone survey of 383 former paid home care related workers in California's In-Home Supportive Services program. Of these, 203 had left caregiving (Leavers) and 180 had continued in other paid caregiving jobs (Stayers). Questionnaire items covered work histories, current employment, and the initial In-Home Supportive Services work experience. Results: About 85% of the sample was female, 39% was White, and the average age was 48 years. Findings suggest that Stayers were more like career caregivers in terms of work history, education, earnings, and reasons for taking a job. Leavers were more apt to care for a close relative and to feel they had less choice in accepting the job. Surprisingly, more than 40% of Leavers indicated they would consider paid caregiving again, even for someone not related. Less surprisingly, more than two thirds of Stayers indicated they would. Implications: The growing number of programs that pay family members to provide home-based services are attracting relatives and friends who had not considered home care as a career option. With more outreach and targeted information about home care employment options, these related workers may help solve the long-term care workforce shortage.

Key Words: Home-based care • Consumer direction • Workforce • Family caregiving